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Don’t mess with master plan: Sharma
Chandigarh, March 18
The Chandigarh Administration needs to take remedial steps lest the citadels of modern architecture in the city crumble under the weight of mindless experimentation, says M.N.Sharma, the first Indian Chief Architect of the city.

Petro scam
ST men under scanner
Chandigarh, March 18
The investigation into the Rs 1,000 crore inter-state petro scam by the operation cell of the Chandigarh Police points towards the connivance of excise and sales tax officials. In charge of the cell, inspector Vijay Kumar said so far they had found 28 bogus firms involved in the scam. These firms existed on paper alone. 

Collector rate charge on unearned profit
Chandigarh, March18
The prevailing collector rate of Rs 19,200 per sq yard will decide the unearned profit to be charged from owners of industrial plots given land on a lease-hold basis. A decision in this regard is expected this week. A long-pending demand of the owners of industrial plots, the move would enable the holders of general power of attorney (GPA) to get the properties transferred in their name after paying the collector rate and stamp duty.

This truant cop just won’t give up
Chandigarh, March 18
Suspended constable of the Panchkula police Pawan Kumar, who was arrested by here on Saturday for cheating and impersonation, managed to dodge the police when being taken for a medical examination last night.

Speaking Out
What a fall, my countrymen!
The defeat of India in their first World Cup match at the hands of Bangladesh and that of Pakistan by Ireland has shocked cricket lovers. This is what some of them had to say to our reporter Akash Ghai.

COMMUNITY

Mansa Devi shrine bedecked for Navratras

Panchkula, March 18 The Mansa Devi shrine has been decked up with flowers and lights with scores of small shops lining the shrine’s road preparing for the annual rush of devotees who will throng the temple for the Chaitra Navratra mela which begins tomorrow. The mela will be inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who will perform a yagya at the shrine. The Mansa Devi shrine lit up on the eve of Navratra mela in Panchkula on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Karam Singh

Pabhat — a picture of neglect 
Zirakpur, March 18
The godown area in Pabhat village here on the Chandigarh-Zirakpur highway, which houses the godowns of the top MNCs and Indian companies and contributes crores of rupees to the state exchequer, has virtually no basic amenities.

Muslims want schemes implemented
Chandigarh, March 18
The Federation of Muslim Societies, Chandigarh, and the United Democratic Progressive Front, Chandigarh, today protested against the demolition of a 20-year-old mosque at Indira Colony, Mani Majra. They also demanded the UT administration to implement several welfare programmes announced by the PMO for the minorities.

Maintenance Command chief in city

Chandigarh, March 18 Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the IAF’s Nagpur-based Maintenance Command Air Marshal K.S. Chaturvedi arrived on a two-day inspection visit at No. 3 Base Repair Depot here today. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of IAF’s Maintenance Command Air Marshal K.S. Chaturvedi is introduced to senior officers of No. 3 Base Repair Depot on his arrival in Chandigarh on Sunday.

Umbrella body for ex-servicemen needed: Governor
Chandigarh, March 18
Advocating the need for setting up an umbrella body for ex-servicemen, UT Administrator Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd) today said the organisation will help provide a more effective and responsive mechanism to meet the needs of ex-servicemen and redress their grievances in a systematic and speedy manner.

High-five for light and sound show

Chandigarh, March 18 Pride in showing “open hand” as the symbol of Chandigarh by residents emerges as a strong message in a well drafted and executed light and sound show that began at the Government Museum and Art gallery, here, this evening. It was launched by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator General S.F. Rodrigues (retd). Residents watch the light and sound show, which was launched at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Panel summons info officer
Chandigarh, March 18
The Central Information Commission has directed the public information officer, estate office, to appear before the commission on March 23. The orders have been passed on an application moved by Vinod Sharma, a resident of Sector 22.

Ordnance factory celebrations
Chandigarh, March 18
An exhibition depicting the history of the Ordnance Cable Factory (OCF) and its products was the highlight of the Ordnance Factories’ Day celebrations, here today. The celebrations begun with the flag-hoisting ceremony by general manager J.P. Sharma, followed by the administration of a pledge by the employees.

Youth convention
Chandigarh, March 18
A two-day state convention organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Punjab and Chandigarh, will begin in the city tomorrow. The aim of the convention is to focus on the Revolution of 1857 and the panchayat yuva shakti abhiyan.

HUDA warned against demolitions

CRIME

1 killed, 1 hurt in mishaps
Chandigarh, March 18
In two separate hit-and-run cases, a scooterist was killed while another was injured in the city. 50-year-old Mian Singh of Sector 50, deputy superintendent of PWD, Chandigarh, was killed after being hit by a tipper truck on Chandigarh-Panchkula road this afternoon.

Youths thrash Mohali resident
Chandigarh, March 18
A group of at least 15 persons thrashed a Mohali resident and smashed his car outside Hot Millions in Sector 17 tonight. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants fled after bashing up the man. Alert staff of the restaurant and onlookers nabbed one of the assailants. In the meantime, a Punjab Police Gypsy (PB-65-8200) reached there and whisked away the man.

BUSINESS

Biz Clips

EDUCATION

Goonj ends on colourful note
Chandigarh, March 18
The cultural-cum-technical fest of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) ‘Goonj 07’ today came to an end with a series of events and a colourful night which had ‘The war of DJ’s’.

230 attend seminar on higher education
Chandigarh, March 18
A UGC-sponsored international seminar on “Higher Education Process Re-engineering” was held at GGDSD College, Sector 32. More than 30 foreign emissaries and 200 delegates from all over India attended the seminar. Principal A.C. Vaid welcomed the guests at the seminar and dwelt upon the problems faced by higher education institutions.

Top honours for Jamia Millia Islamia
Mohali, March 18
A two-day national consumer moot court competition concluded at the Rayat College of Law, near here, today with Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, bagging most of the top prizes in various categories. Sowmyn Suman of Jamia Millia Islamia University was adjudged the best mooter in the competition, which saw teams from over 33 top law institutes and colleges from across India participating and vying for the top honours.

‘Save animals’ show by students
Mohali, March 18
Students of DAV Public Senior Secondary School today made a fervent appealthrough their heartrending performance to save animals from the wrath of those who are destroying them for their narrow ends. The message was read loud and clear at the annual Recognition Day of the school as the audience watched in awe the emotional presentation in form of a play.

Ek shaam Himachal ke naam

Chandigarh, March 18 “In the coming years, 70 per cent unemployed youth of the state will be given jobs,” announced Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at “Ek Shaam Himachal Ke Naam”, the annual prize distribution function, held today at the law auditorium of Panjab University. Members of the Himachal Pradesh Students’ Union present a folk dance at the law auditorium of Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Sunday.  — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tiwari

Satyam picks 1,386 students
Mohali, March 18
Satyam Computer Services shortlisted a record number of 1,386 MCA and B.Tech students of the 2008 batch at a joint placement drive that concluded at the Chandigarh Engineering College, Landran, today.

CULTURE

First woman santoor maestro in city

Chandigarh, March 18 “Music as a work of art is a continuous, renewing and progressive phenomenon steadily growing with life. Its transition from the temples to royal courts and auditoriums was necessitated by the innate dynamism of the music itself as well as the growing cultural needs of humanity,” maintains Bhopal-based santoor maestro Prof Shruti Adhikari. Bhopal-based santoor maestro Prof Shruti Adhikari tunes her instrument.

Session ends with cultural programme
Panchkula, March 18
Tiny tots of the kindergarten section of DAV Public School, Sector 8, presented a colourful cultural programme to mark the conclusion of the session 2006-07 here today. Students of pre-nursery presented a ramp show followed by an action song "Happy days" by nursery students.

HEALTH

Drug research doesn’t come cheap, says expert
Chandigarh, March 18
It takes around 15 years for a drug to reach the market from the time of its discovery and on an average a pharmaceutical company spends around $ 800 million on research and development of a new molecule, said Dr Viraj Rajadhyaksha from clinical research division, Pfizer, Mumbai, here today.

Bring compassion into profession: doctor
Chandigarh, March 18
“Commercialisation in the medical profession has brought about erosion of human emotions in the relationship between doctor and patient, which has rendered medicos health providers and patient clients,” said Dr P.N. Nagpal, a renowned ophthalmologist, while delivering the founder’s day lecture at the advanced eye centre at PGIMER here today.

‘Old-age diseases have increased with life expectancy’
Chandigarh, March 18
The trend in emerging diseases is linked to the increase in average age of an individual in the country. Old-age-related diseases are now being reported in hospitals in larger volumes, said Dr P.N. Nagpal, the founder director of Retina Foundation, Ahmedabad, here today.

423 patients examined at camp

SPORTS

Sachin, Sumit storm into semis

Chandigarh, March 18 Top seed Sachin Kumar and the third seed Sumit Pal Singh reached the semifinal stage by defeating their respective opponents with an identical score of 8-1 on the second day of the ongoing third Late Shri L.D. Kapoor Memorial held at YMCA Total Tennis Academy, Sector 11, here today. A player in action at the YMCA Total Tennis Championship in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

PEC Mini-Marathon
Varun, Shruti emerge winners
Chandigarh, March 18
Varun Kashyap emerged winner in the boys section while Shruti won the first place among girls in the second Mini-Marathon which was flagged off from the athletic stadium in PEC premises here today.

Legal eagles to fight it out on pitch
Chandigarh, March 18
As many as 13 teams of the District Bar Association of Punjab, Haryana and High Court Bar associations will take part in a cricket tournament to be held at grounds at Jalandhar, Sonepat, Fatehabad, Karnal, Panchkula and Chandigarh from March 23 to 27.